CWG Regional Meet. India pushes for inclusion of wrestling, archery and kabaddi

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Sunday made a strong pitch for inclusion of archery, wrestling and kabaddi as regular sports in the Commonwealth Games (CWG) list at the CGF (Commonwealth Games Federation) Asia and Oceania regional meeting. . Kabaddi has never been a part of the CWG programme, while shooting and archery are two sports that were not included in the previous Games in Birmingham. Indian athletes had excelled in both these games.

 

The Indian delegation, led by IOA President PT Usha, discussed with CGF President Dame Louise Martin and her team on the development of Indian sports in relation to the strategic plan being proposed by the CGF. The delegation also included IOA’s Acting CEO (Chief Executive Officer) and Joint Secretary Kalyan Choubey and Executive Council member Lt Gen Harpal Singh. In a media release issued here, Usha said, “I welcome the steps taken to return shooting to the 2026 Victoria Commonwealth Games. Along with this, we have sought the intervention of the CGF leadership to include Archery, Wrestling and Kabaddi in the list of these sports in future. CGF and Commonwealth Games Australia unveil the full sports program for the first Victoria 2026 Games It consists of 20 sports and 26 events. It also includes nine par games.

 

Shooting is set to return at the 2026 Commonwealth Games after being controversially dropped from the 2022 Birmingham Games. In shooting, India has so far won 135 medals (63 gold, 44 silver and 28 bronze) in the Commonwealth Games, more than any other sport. Wrestling ranks third in the list with 114 (49 gold, 39 silver and 26 bronze) medals. In this, India won the maximum number of 12 medals in wrestling at the Birmingham Games. The game has been dropped from the 2026 season after being included in four consecutive games since 2010. Archery, on the other hand, has been included in the Commonwealth Games only twice (1982 and 2010). Choubey said, “Shooting has been India’s strongest sport and its return at the 2026 Commonwealth Games is a welcome step for India. I am sure the inclusion of para-shooting will further add to India’s medal tally. “I believe we have made a strong case for the return of wrestling and archery to the Commonwealth Games.